Bhubaneswar: Newly appointed Odisha Governor Braj Mohan Ram has clarified his remarks about strengthening the BJP in the state, asserting that he would work with everyone and is now above party politics.
Responding to reports that he had said he would work to strengthen the BJP organisation in Odisha after assuming the Governor post, Ram denied making such a statement.
Speaking to ANI, he said, “No, I did not say this. I said that I will work in coordination with everyone. I am now above party politics.”
However, the newly appointed Governor said he would always have affection and love for the party to which he belonged. He clarified that he would not work for any particular political party in his constitutional role.
Ram’s clarification comes amid reports suggesting that he had expressed an intention to strengthen the BJP’s organisational presence in Odisha following his appointment as Governor.
On October 12, President Droupadi Murmu appointed the senior BJP leader from Jharkhand as the Governor of Odisha.
Meanwhile, the BJD has criticised Odisha Governor-designate Braj Mohan Ram, saying such remarks were inappropriate for someone appointed to a constitutional post.
BJD spokesperson Bhrugu Baxipatra termed the reported remarks condemnable and said a Governor should remain above party politics and uphold the dignity of the constitutional office.
“It has never been seen before that a Governor speaks about working for a political organisation before assuming office,” Baxipatra said. He alleged that Ram’s remarks raised concerns that the Raj Bhavan could be turned into a party office.
The BJD spokesperson said the BJP should have assigned Ram a different responsibility instead of nominating him for the Governor post. He also questioned the Centre’s decision to appoint a person who had held various positions in the party before being nominated for a constitutional office.
Baxipatra further said President Droupadi Murmu should reconsider the appointment and withdraw Ram’s name.
He pointed out that the Governor serves as an important channel through which issues concerning a state are conveyed to the Union government. Therefore, any indication that the office could be used to strengthen a political organisation would be inappropriate, he said.
Earlier, BJD president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik had also commented on the controversy.